The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-03-29
The Senatorial CamDaign.

was asked if he Were a candidate before
the Legislature, the answer readily came
"Only false modesty would refuse such
an opportunity for distinction-onl ex-
cessive e.sOtism would venture to seek
it. This has been Perry's attitude al
WAYS, and even the enemies who assaulted
him by anonymous defamation never
ventured to accuse him of self-seeking.
The Bloxham boom was carefully
inflated and every preparation made for
its ascension months ago. 1t was an
nounced with great flourish of trIim-
pets at time expressly fixed for "a first
appearance, and everything appeared
to work eharmingly. All the play had
been rehearsed beforehand, and the pull
leys and ropes behind the scenes worked
to- a charm under the guidance of manip-
ulators who believed themselves out of
sight. There was vociferous applause
and loud clapping of hands, while no
one objected although many smiled.
But the stage managers were not salts
fled with the success of the first act. To
insure SENS Ition they must needs at
tack Perry, and We were treated To a
genuine surprise when the Florida
Herald gave Us an anonymous letter
from a prominent citizen and we'll
known Democrat" which was so gross
and defa matOry that Perrys friends
among the audience We're compelled To
assert themselves III the interest of truth
m II, y
the mask from this Democrat" who
loved darkness better than light and the
grave received him-he could not be use
full when his features had been recog-
nized. Perrys friends had thus far
taken no part in the play save To turn ON
little light that the actors might be
seen. 1t seems that the Florida Herdid
also now took a back seat along with its
champion.
To take the place of the stricken
Patroclus strides ON the great Achilles.
His steps are heard afar-his voice is
like the roar of the sea on a surf beaten
shore: he. rolls his beaming eyes around
to mark the CONSERVATION of the specta-
tors and they laughter it is only Jones.
He mouths big words and stands on tip
toe-the audience hears, but mistakes
the roar for bray. He retires in fury
breathing vengeance and ''sees q man.
Again the curtain rises-little Jones
enters and spreads down copy of the
Times Union ON which he stands that
he may be seen and heard. He beckons.
and there enta rs to him tall, lean, old
man whose form is enveloped in a cloud.
but whose features appear plainly through
the mists and are easily recognized.
This figure is called Lex" and he pro-
ceeds To humble out charges against
Perry while shrinking from observation
under the protection of Jones. When
he has finished. his little guardian again
speaks and declares that this is "a prom
inent attorney" instead of the former
''citizen, and THE charges should be
investigated" But Indignation again
possesses the audience. which rises and
exclaims that the charges are entirely
false and calls for proof. At the sound
of this word the little star and his mys-
FERROUS (9 associate jump off the news
paper, which alone raised them high
enough to be visible, and. together,
they hide out.
above long before had ordered an inves-
tigation into certain matters of interest
and with the disappearance of the actors
| a presentation of these facts was made
| as prescribed by tar. The condition of
| things shown up by certain parties,
whose evidence. was unimpeachabIe
seemed To hurt Jones and his friends. for
the little fellow suddenly returned out of
| his native darkness, and said many
| things-among these, he expressed Il
| high opinion of the Orlando Reporter,
| and asked that all action be suspended
while he saw another man.. As this
/ party had the highest opinion" of the
| Reporter. the audience asked brother
Gore to step upon the stage, AMI he
| spoke in this wis.
| There is but one course for Governor
| Perry to pursue. The law makes it his
duty to- take such steps as may he neces
sary to recover the unearne1i lands: We
| are told that if this is done the Drainage
| Company will stop work and withdraw
from the State. Judging by results thu.
far, the State will be the gamer if they
20. We believe Governor Perry is made
/. of stern stuff and has nerve enough Il
| grapple with this matter, and protect the
rights of the State. He can make a recor,
for himself which Will be the browning
glory of his life. He cannot afford I,
stand III with the boodlers.
| n, 4
the scene and Jones had subsidized, tn,
audience retired.
But the next day the F7oridd Htraif
again lifted up a Voice in the ears of TN
people and spoke for BIoxham. And tn,
Reporter answered back And Jone
again stood ON the pages of the Times
Union that he might be seen, and h
ranted terribly. Then the Palatka NEW
slammed him by exposing his dirty work
and the Reporter said
The editor of the Times Union posi-
lively claimed that the agreement ha
been consummated and that BloXham di
not dare To go back ON him, because h
had it in black and white" This W
) are prepared to prove at any time, and
/ called upon in a way which will affor
the opportunity the evidence shall he q
such a character as To- satisfy ever
resident of the State of the truth of til
, charge"
, And now THE last act of this strang
eventual history" will appear in anothe
? city and a whole people will take il
: terest in the denouement. Only let
) he noted that no attack has been made o
D | RiONham unless he b,, hurt nv facts III
\ earthed by express direction of the leEi,
: lature or embodied in the words of h
d chosen champion. But with the, deSper: